Thread: Solar power 3kw system

I've got a few rellies & friends with solar & they've all gone for 5kw as apparently it's the minimum output to really make a difference. Don't quote me on that as I don't have it!

Probably depends on your usage.
Mum & Dad recently had a 3kw system installed, and its pretty much wiped out their power bill so far.

$7000 pre rebates is average for a 3kw system.

how much are you getting back per kilowatt

Go for as big as you can afford, try and arrange panels to get the best winter/autumn/spring aspect, as summer will look after itself... "losing" a bit of summer light does'nt hurt as there is plenty.

You'll "never'' add the extra panels on afterwards.- Human nature.

Mine is 3.6kW, 3 strings available, facing 045 (NE) degrees on 18 degrees slope. Power bill gone. - But good quality panels...
I could do with another 500 to 1kW facing NW or even W., lifted up to 30 to 40 degrees to harvest the 'after 3pm' sun. - Virtually dead in winter, idling at a few hundred watts in summer!

I have a 3KW system installed and am getting the 44c per KWH. On my last bill they paid me $279!! We do not have air conditioning and there are only two of us. When I had it installed I was quite happy with doing away with my electric bill. The fact that I am getting money back is a bonus.
The system cost $4000 to be installed and we are generating over 300KWH per month.

Ivan

A quick question - is there a lot of Solar already in your street? If so, I would chack your voltage one day - mid morning during a sunny weekday. If you have a lot of solor already in the street, the voltage may be very high when no one is home - and everyones panels are trying to make them money. They push the voltage up in a localised area, and can affect how well other systems in the area run. Stick a multi meter in a power point - if it is up around 255 volts at the times stated, I would do some more research.

You could end up putting a large system in, and not seeing the benefits you may think you will get...

Don't get me wrong - it can work very well, but in some areas, we are already seeing PV reach its saturation point...

Sounds a bit high. We only paid $1900 for 1.5kW, although the prices seem to keep changing. Suggest you get some more quotes.

We have the 3kw system, ours has 12 panels though(2 rows 2 arrays) unless you have the rebate of 60c don't bother, you will need 5kw as a minimum to see any real savings in your power bill.

You'll need a good north facing roof area with no obstructions for the panels.

Baz.